Portable device for game of skill

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a portable device ( 10 ) for a game of skill consisting in causing an article to pass through a target, the device comprising:
         a board ( 12 ) having a front face ( 18 ) and a rear face ( 20 );   a target ( 14 ) including a through opening ( 28 ) defining an axis (A) and through which the article can pass, said target being fastened by a hinge ( 38 ) to the board in such a manner that the portable device can occupy either a folded position in which the target is folded against the front face ( 18 ) of the board, or a deployed position in which the target extends transversely relative to the board; and   fastener means ( 16 ) configured to enable the portable device to be fastened to a support.       

     The invention is characterized by the fact that at least one of the elements selected from the board ( 12 ) and the target ( 14 ) is constituted by assembling together a layer of hard plastics material and a layer of foam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable device for a game of skill. A particular application of the invention lies in playing basketball, or any other sporting activity, outdoors or indoors, that consist in causing an article, such as a ball, to pass through a target.

Playing basketball requires specific equipment, and in particular a backboard carrying a rim, the backboard being mounted on a vertical support such as a post or a wall and being positioned several meters above the ground, which can complicate or even limit opportunities for playing the game.

Mobile basketball backboards are also known, suitable for being fitted to a variety of supports, in order to enable game play in a variety of situations.

One such mobile basketball backboard is described in particular in Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,929, which discloses a portable device for a game of skill consisting in causing an article to pass through a target, the device comprising a board having a front face and a rear face, a target including a through opening defining an axis and through which the article can pass, the target being fastened by a hinge to the board in such a manner that the portable device can occupy either a folded position in which the target is folded against the front face of the board, or a deployed position in which the target extends transversely relative to the board, and in addition, the portable device includes fastener means configured to enable the portable device to be fastened to a support.

The problem posed by that type of portable device is that its structure and its dimensions are such that its overall size in the folded position, and also its weight are significant, thereby greatly compromising its portability. In addition, the stiffness of its various components, which is needed to hold the target in stable manner, while also helping the ball to bounce on the board, is such that the user runs a risk of injury on coming in contact with the device, since during a stage of play the user might collide with the board or the target. Furthermore, the fastener means are configured so as to enable the device to be fastened to a limited number of supports, thereby further reducing opportunities for using the device.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Amongst other things, the present invention seeks to respond to the various problems mentioned above by proposing a portable device for playing a game of skill, the device being capable of being mounted quickly and securely on any type of support and presenting compactness and weight that facilitate transport and stowage of the device, without compromising the playing quality desired by users. Furthermore, the device must present strength characteristics suitable for limiting any risk of degradation inherent to it being used.

This object is achieved by the fact that the invention provides a portable device in which at least one of the elements selected from the board and the target is constituted by assembling together a layer of hard material and a layer of foam.

The hard material is preferably a plastics material.

Thus, because of the presence of the layer of foam, the device is particularly light in weight, thereby making it easy to transport. In addition, the presence of a layer of foam serves to limit any risk of injury that a user might suffer in coming into contact with the device. Furthermore, the presence of a layer of hard material, such as a plastics material, ensures that the device can be fastened in stable manner to a support, and ensures that an article such as a ball bounces properly against the front face of the board, and also ensures that the shape of the through opening in the target is constant. It can thus be understood that combining layers of foam and of hard material makes it possible to provide a portable device that is light in weight and that presents playing quality that is not compromised.

In addition, forming the portable device by combining a hard material, such as a plastics material, with a layer of foam, makes it possible for the hinge fastening the target to the board to present properties of elasticity. In particular, traction can be exerted on the target so that it forms an angle significantly greater than 90° relative to the board without running the risk of breaking the hinge; in addition, once the traction ceases, the presence of the layer of foam enables the target to return elastically to its deployed position.

The invention is specified below in a series of embodiment variants that may be considered singly or in combination with one or more of the preceding embodiment variants.

Advantageously, the target further includes brake means configured to brake the article as it passes through the through opening.

The brake means enable the article, which may be traveling at significant speed on being thrown, is not returned violently as a result of bouncing on the board and passing through the target, towards either the user or any other person in the proximity of the portable device, or else away from the space dedicated to the game.

Advantageously, the target contains an inflatable element.

By this provision, the light weight of the target, and consequently of the portable device, is further improved, making the device easily transportable.

Preferably, the inflatable element may be deflated. Thus, in the folded position, the device occupies limited space.

Advantageously, the target is constituted by assembling a layer of foam having a bottom face and a top face with a layer of hard material fastened to the bottom face.

The presence of the layer of hard material on the bottom face of the layer of foam serves to maintain the shape and the dimensions of the through opening formed in the target. In addition, in the folded position, the bottom face of the target faces towards the outside of the device, thereby imparting significant strength to the device so that it can be stowed without being damaged, e.g. as a result of being positioned under other articles.

Advantageously, the assembled-together layers of foam and of hard material form a torus.

By this shape, the ring does not present sharp edges that might injure a user, damage the front face of the board in the folded position, or make it more complicated to pass any type of article through the target when in its deployed position. In addition, the through opening is circular in shape, which is particularly suitable for playing basketball.

Preferably, the torus has a top portion and a bottom portion arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the through opening, the top and bottom portions being constituted respectively by a layer of foam and by a layer of hard material.

By this characteristic, when a user takes hold of the target so as to cause a ball to pass through the through opening, e.g. when performing a smash, the user comes into contact with the top portion that is made of foam and therefore does not run the risk of injury. Furthermore, in the folded position, the top portion constituted by foam comes against the front face of the board so as to avoid degrading the board or scratching its surface.

Advantageously, the brake means comprise a plurality of flexible flaps extending from the circumference of the torus and covering the through opening, in part.

By being arranged across the through opening, the flexible flaps serve to slow down the article passing through the target, with the friction exerted by the flexible flaps serving to brake the article before it has passed all the way through the through opening, in order to be recovered by the user.

Advantageously, the flexible flaps extend transversely, preferably perpendicularly, relative to the axis defined by the through opening. Thus, in the folded position, the compactness of the device is not compromised by the presence of the flexible flaps.

Preferably, the flexible flaps are made of the same material as the material constituting the layer of foam of the torus.

Preferably, the target and the brake means form a single part.

By this structure, the flexible flaps run no risk of injuring the user; in addition, the flexibility of the flaps is improved, since there is no risk of the article being deflected on coming into contact with the flexible flaps, which could compromise the quality of the game played with the portable device. Furthermore, the flexible flaps do not run the risk of being separated from the target.

Advantageously, the flexible flaps include a plurality of through holes. One advantage is to make them more flexible.

Advantageously, the board is constituted by assembling together a layer of foam and a layer of hard material.

Preferably, the front face is constituted by the layer of hard material, while the rear face is constituted by the layer of foam.

By this provision, the rear face can fit closely to roughnesses of the support on which the portable device is fastened, thereby limiting any risk of instability which would compromise playing the game of skill. Furthermore, the presence of a layer of hard material on the front face enables an article thrown against the board to bounce with behavior that can be predicted, thereby not compromising the quality of play.

Advantageously, the board is constituted by assembling together a layer of foam arranged between two layers of hard material.

Because of the presence of the layer of foam, the light weight, and thus the transportability, of the device is improved. Furthermore, the presence of a layer of hard material on the rear face enables the device, when in the folded position, to avoid being damaged, e.g. while being transported or stowed.

Advantageously, the foam extends at the periphery of the board.

Preferably, the periphery is of bulging shape.

By these provisions, there is no risk of the user being injured on coming into contact with the device; in addition, the support on which the device is fastened does not risk being damaged while the device is in use.

Advantageously, the board includes a through slot, the fastener means comprising a tie arranged in the slot.

The presence of the slot enables the fastener means to be mounted securely to the device so as to enable the device to be fastened in stable and secure manner to any type of support.

Advantageously, the hard material is a plastics material.

Preferably, the plastics material is polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Advantageously, the foam is made of polyethylene.

Advantageously, the foam is a polyurethane foam or a foam of the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) type.

Thus, by combining layers of hard material and of foam, it is ensured that the various components of the device are stiff, lightweight, and flexible, while complying with requirements relating to the cost, speed, and ease of fabrication.

Preferably, when the portable device is in the deployed position, the top surface of the target and of the hinge is covered in foam.

By this provision, the top surface of the hinge and of the target does not run any risk of injuring a user.

Advantageously, the dimensions of the board and of the target are such that the target lies within the board when the portable device is in its folded position.

Preferably, the span of the board is substantially equal to the diameter of the target, such that the target lies within the board when the portable device is in the folded position.

By this provision, the overall size of the device in the folded position is limited; furthermore, the brake means of the target are protected in this way and do not run any risk of catching while the device is being transported.

Advantageously, the fastener means are configured so as to hold the target folded down against the inside face of the board when the portable device is in the folded position.

In this way, the fastener means enable the device to be held in the folded position, e.g. while it is being stowed or transported.

Preferably, the layers of hard material and of foam are assembled together by thermocompression.

The use of a thermocompression method thus enables the layers of hard material and of foam to be fastened together securely and quickly.

Advantageously, the flexible flaps are formed when assembling together by thermocompression the layers of the target that are made of hard material and of foam.

By this characteristic, production of the device is simplified and can be performed quickly. In addition, the flexible flaps are thus fastened securely to the target without any risk of being separated therefrom while playing the game of skill.

Advantageously, the layers of hard material and of foam constituting the board and the target respectively, are identical.

Thus, fabrication costs and times can be reduced significantly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear more clearly and more completely on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the following accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable device of the present invention, the portable device being in the deployed position;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view in section of the FIG. 1 portable device; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a portable device of the present invention, the portable device being in the folded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the portable device 10 of the present invention comprises a board 12, a target 14, and fastener means 16.

By way of example and in non-limiting manner, the board 12 is hexagonal in shape, having a front face 18 and a rear face 20; the term “front” is used of the face 18 of the board 12 to designate the face of the board that is to face the user, when the device 10 is in a deployed position, and that is to receive an article, such as a ball, that is thrown in order to be passed through the target 14; the term “rear” is used of the face 20 that is opposite from the front face 18.

As shown in particular in FIG. 1, the board 12 also has a periphery 22 that constitutes a pad of material projecting from the ends of the planes defined by the front and rear faces.

By way of example and in non-limiting manner, the planes defined by the front and rear faces of the board 12 are parallel to each other.

The front face 18 of the board 12 includes a plurality of through slots 24 that are arranged in the center of the board 12, by way of non-limiting example.

Furthermore, the target 14 has a margin 26, that by way of non-limiting example may be toroidal in shape, the margin defining a through opening 28; the through opening 28 defines an axis A.

The target 14 also has brake means 30 that cover the through opening 28 in part. As shown in particular in FIG. 1, the brake means 30 are constituted by flexible flaps 32 that extend from the circumference of the margin 26 and that are described in greater detail in the description below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fastener means 16 are constituted by a tie 34, such as a strap, that passes through at least one of the through slots 24 formed in the board 12; the fastener means 16 also comprise closure means 36, such as for example a spring-loaded buckle that makes it possible, on passing one of the ends of the tie through the closure means 36, to constitute a tie in the form of a closed loop, e.g. in order to enable the portable device 10 to be fastened to a support, such as a post, a railing, or any other support element.

By way of non-limiting example, the through slots 24 are constituted by a series of horizontal slots and a series of vertical slots; as shown in FIG. 1, the tie 34 may pass through the vertical slots thus making it possible by way of non-limiting example for the device 10 to be mounted on a vertical support such as a post. It can be understood that the tie 34 may alternatively be passed through the horizontal slots, so as to enable the device to be mounted on a horizontal support, such as a fence.

After being engaged in the through slots 24, the tie 34 extends from the rear face 20 of the board 12 so as to secure the board 12 on a support in order to enable the device 10 to be used.

The board 12 and the target 14 are connected together by a hinge 38 that is arranged by way of example close to the bottom end 13 of the board 12, which hinge defines an axis P about which the target 14 can be pivoted relative to the board 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 may occupy a deployed position in which the target 14 extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, relative to the board 12.

By way of non-limiting example, in the deployed position, the pivot axis P is arranged perpendicularly relative to the axis A defined by the through opening 28. In addition, in this deployed position, the axis A is arranged parallel to the planes defined by the front and rear faces of the board 12.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the FIG. 1 device 10, the section being on a plane II shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral margin 26 of the target 14 has a top portion 40 and a bottom portion 42 arranged in a plane D perpendicular to the axis A defined by the through opening 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the deployed position, the plane D is also perpendicular to the planes defined by the front and rear faces of the board 12.

By way of non-limiting example, the top portion 40 is rounded in shape, e.g. constituted by first and second coaxial half-toruses 44 and 46 of different radii R1 and R2, the half-toruses 44 and 46 being fastened to each other.

The top portion 40 is constituted by a layer of foam and has a top face 48 defined by the rounded surface of the first half-torus 44, and a bottom surface 50 defined by the rounded surface of the second half-torus 46; the bottom portion 42, which is constituted by way of non-limiting example by a layer of hard material, presents a profile that is C-shaped, and it is arranged on the bottom face 50 of the top portion 40.

Without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, it would naturally be possible to devise any other form of top portion 40 and bottom portion 42 arranged in the plane D perpendicular to the axis A and constituting the margin 26 of the target 14.

By way of non-limiting example, the layer of foam constituting the top portion 40 is made of polyethylene, of EVA, of polyurethane foam, or of any other material, such as for example a plastics material, presenting properties of flexibility and of lightness that are particularly advantageous.

By way of non-limiting example, the layer of hard material constituting the bottom portion 42 is made of plastics material, PVC, or any other material presenting particularly advantageous properties of stiffness.

By way of non-limiting example, the top and bottom portions 40 and 42 are assembled together by thermocompression.

As described in detail above, the target 14 also has flexible flaps 32 that extend from the circumference of the margin 26 into the through opening 28. By way of non-limiting example, the flexible flaps 32 are also constituted by a layer of foam, the foam possibly being identical to that constituting the top portion 40 of the margin 26. By way of non-limiting example, the flexible flaps and the target, and in particular the top portion of its peripheral margin 26 form material that extends in continuity. Without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, it would also be possible to devise flexible flaps 32 made of a foam that is other than the foam constituting the top portion 40.

The flexibility of the foam constituting the flexible flaps 32 enables the flexible flaps 32 to bend relative to the margin 26 of the target 14, this bending or sloping serving to slow down the passage of an article, such as a ball, through the through opening 28 of the target 14. It can thus be understood that the brake means 30 constituted by the flexible flaps 32 perform the same function as a net, e.g. a mesh net, as conventionally arranged on the rims of basketball backboards.

By way of non-limiting example, the flexible flaps 32 are formed when assembling together the layers of hard material and foam making up respectively the bottom portion 42 and the top portion 40 of the target 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the board 12 has a central panel 60 arranged between two lateral panels 62 and 64, the lateral panels constituting respectively the rear and front faces 20 and 18 of the board 12.

In addition, and as shown in FIG. 2, the central panel 60 extends to the periphery 22 of the board 12.

By way of non-limiting example, the central panel 60 is constituted by a layer of foam, which may be identical to or different from the layer of foam constituting the top portion 40 of the margin 26 of the target 14;

furthermore, the lateral panels 62 and 64 are constituted by a layer of hard material, which two layers may be identical to each other or different, and may likewise be identical to or different from the layer of hard material constituting the bottom portion 42 of the margin 26 of the target 14.

In particular, the periphery 22 is constituted by foam so as to avoid injuring a user coming into contact with the peripheral edge of the board.

By way of non-limiting example, the layers of hard material and of foam respectively constituting the lateral panels 62, 64 and the central panel 60 of the board 12 are assembled together by thermocompression.

Without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, it is also be possible to devise any other method serving to bond together the layers of hard material and of foam constituting the board 12 and the target 14, such as adhesive or heat-sealing, by way of non-limiting example.

As shown, the rear face 20 of the board 12 has openings 21 formed in the layer of hard material and configured by way of example to match the shape of projections or portions in relief of the support on which the device 10 may be fastened.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge 38 also has a top portion 66 and a bottom portion 68, the top and bottom portions possibly being constituted respectively by a layer of foam and by a layer of hard material.

The combination of hard material, such as plastics material, and a layer of foam for forming the portable device 10 of the present invention, and more particularly forming at least one of the elements selected from the board 12 and the target 14, provides the hinge 38 with elastic properties; the target 14 can thus slope relative to the board 12 to an extent greater than that with which it slopes when the device is in its deployed position, e.g. when a user applies traction to the target 12, with the presence of the layer of foam in particular enabling the device to return to the deployed position in elastic manner when the user ceases to apply traction to the target.

It can be understood that the presence of a layer of foam material constituting the top portion 40 of the margin 26 of the target 14 and the top portion 66 of the hinge 38 serves to limit any risk of a user suffering injury in contact with the device 10, e.g. because the user is close of the device 10 and trying to put a ball through the through opening 28.

In addition, the presence of a layer of hard material for constituting the lateral panels 62, 64 of the board 12 serves to improve the strength of the board 12 and to enhance the strength with which the device 10 is fastened to a support.

FIG. 3 shows the device 10 in a folded position in which the target 14 is pivoted about the pivot axis P relative to the board 12 so as to be folded against the front face 18 of the board 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dimensions of the target 14 and of the board 12 are such that the target 14 in the folded position lies within the board 12, with this characteristic making it possible, amongst other things, to ensure that the device 10 is compact in the folded position, thus making it simpler to stow and to transport.

In other words, the span of the board 12 is substantially equal to the diameter of the target 14, such that the target lies within the board 12 in the folded position; compared with devices for games of skill known in the prior art, it can thus be understood that the dimensions of the board 12 are adjusted relative to those of the target 14 so as to contribute to the device 10 being compact and transportable, because of its limited weight.

As shown, when in the folded position, the axis defined by the through opening 28 in the target 14 is arranged perpendicularly to the planes defined by the front and rear faces of the board 12; furthermore, the axis defined by the through opening 28 is also perpendicular to the pivot axis P.

In addition, and as shown in FIG. 3, the fastener means 16 are also configured so as to hold the target 14 folded against the front face of the board 12, once more in order to ensure that the device 10 is compact in the folded position.

Without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, it is possible to devise a device 10 in which the board 12 and/or the target 14 are constituted by superposing a plurality of layers of hard material and a plurality of layers of foam, so as to limit the weight of the device 10 without compromising its strength, the stability with which it can be fastened, or the quality of the play it makes possible in use. In the same manner, a board 12 could be devised that is constituted solely by assembling one layer of foam and one layer of hard material, e.g. constituting respectively the rear face 20 and the front face 18 of the board 12.

In the invention described with reference to the various figures, the board 12 and the target 14 are both constituted by assembling together at least one layer of foam and at least one layer of hard material; without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, it is naturally possible to devise a device 10 in which only one of the elements selected from the board and the target is constituted by assembling together a layer of foam and a layer of hard material.

Furthermore, without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, it is also possible to devise any other distribution of the layer of hard material, such as plastics material, and of the layer of foam in order to form the board and the target, as described in the non-limiting example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In an alternative embodiment that is not shown, it is also possible to devise a target 14 that has an inflatable element, which element can be deflated when the device 10 is in the folded position, with the inflatable element being embedded for example in the layer of foam constituting the target 14, once more for the purpose of lightening the device 10.

Because of the presence of the fastener means 16, the device 10 of the present invention can thus be fastened simply and quickly to any type of support, such as for example items of street furniture, so as to be suitable for use in numerous situations; without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, it is also possible to make provision for the presence of a buffer, e.g. made of rubber, arranged on the rear face 20 of the board 12 and enabling it to fit closely to roughnesses on the support, so as to improve the stability and the strength with which the device 10 is fastened.

The entire description above is given by way of example and is therefore not limiting on the invention.

In particular, although the invention is particularly suitable for playing basketball, it can also find numerous applications for playing any game of skill suitable for being played in the open air or indoors. 

1. A portable device for a game of skill consisting in causing an article to pass through a target, the device comprising: a board having a front face and a rear face; a target including a through opening defining an axis and through which the article can pass, said target being fastened by a hinge to the board in such a manner that the portable device can occupy either a folded position in which the target is folded against the front face of the board, or a deployed position in which the target extends transversely relative to the board; and a fastener configured to enable the portable device to be fastened to a support; wherein at least one of the elements selected from the board and the target is constituted by assembling together a layer of hard plastics material and a layer of foam.
 2. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the target further includes a brake configured to brake the article as it passes through the through opening.
 3. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the target contains an inflatable element.
 4. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the target is constituted by assembling a layer of foam having a bottom face and a top face with a layer of hard plastics material fastened to said bottom face.
 5. A portable device according to claim 4, wherein the assembled-together layers of foam and of hard plastics material form a torus.
 6. A portable device according to claim 5, wherein the torus has a top portion and a bottom portion arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the through opening, the top and bottom portions being constituted respectively by the layer of foam and by the layer of hard plastics material.
 7. A portable device according to claim 5, wherein the target further includes a brake configured to brake the article as it passes through the through opening, the brake comprising a plurality of flexible flaps extending from the circumference of the torus and covering the through opening, in part.
 8. A portable device according to claim 7, wherein the flexible flaps are made of the same material as the material constituting the layer of foam of the torus.
 9. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the board is constituted by assembling together a layer of foam arranged between two layers of hard plastics material.
 10. A portable device according to claim 9, wherein the foam extends at the periphery of the board.
 11. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the board includes a through slot, the fastener comprising a tie arranged in said slot.
 12. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the foam is made of polyethylene.
 13. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein, when the portable device is in the deployed position, the top surface of the target and of the hinge is covered in foam.
 14. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the board and of the target are such that the target lies within the board when the portable device is in its folded position.
 15. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fastener are configured so as to hold the target folded down against the inside face of the board when the portable device is in the folded position.
 16. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the layers of hard plastics material and of foam are assembled together by thermocompression.
 17. A portable device according to claim 8, wherein the layers of hard plastics material and of foam are assembled together by thermocompression, the flexible flaps being formed when assembling together by thermocompression the layers of the target that are made of hard plastics material and of foam. 